Residential tenancies new rules for private landlords

All private landlords should be made aware that, from 1 February 2016, they will have to check that new tenants have the right to be in the UK before renting out their property.

The Immigration Act 2014 prohibits private landlords of residential properties from allowing certain people to occupy those properties based on the immigration status of the occupiers. Landlords will have to check the status of prospective tenants, and other authorised occupiers, to ascertain whether those parties have the right to occupy the premises before granting a tenancy.